Posted on behalf of Ron Patkus, Director of Archives and Special Collections
On the surface, the installation of an exhibition in the library seems like a pretty straightforward affair: two or three times a year a librarian will bring a cart full of materials from the Archives and Special Collections Library upstairs and spend a morning or an afternoon placing them in the cases near the main lobby. In reality though, the process is more complex. Planning for the exhibition can take weeks and even months, as a librarian determines what will be on display and where. A conservator usually assists by creating custom-made mats, enclosures and other constructions that preserve the materials during the exhibition period.
This fall the installation of “Re-examining books: Book Objects and Artist Books by Werner Pfeiffer” was especially interesting and challenging, for a number of reasons. First, unlike any previous exhibition, this one actually has not one but three venues: the Main Library, the Art Library, and the Art Center. Rather than taking just one day, in this case the installation took an entire week! The exhibition invitation and catalog physically reflect the three areas: when folded out, the invitation is a three-sided document, and the catalog, rather than being read in a straight linear fashion, is actually composed of three different sections, running different ways.
Second, unusual materials were displayed in the library. Rather than books and manuscripts, as is normally the case, this time sculptures were presented, while books and prints were showcased in the Art Center. This re-arrangement of materials goes against the traditional presentations one expects to see. The approach presented certain challenges for the library, as some of the sculptures needed special attention to be displayed properly. The largest piece, titled “Suspended,” required several people to put it in place, as a special beam had to be hoisted against walls in the hallway, and then the parts of the sculpture had to be hung from it.
Another aspect of this installation that was different from others is that many people, not just a librarian from Special Collections, were involved. Thomas Hill, the Art Librarian, played an important role in setting up the exhibition in the two library venues, while Patricia Phagan and others in the Art Center assisted in the creation of a display there. Moreover, the artist, Werner Pfeiffer, was himself deeply involved in all aspects of the mounting of the exhibition. He built special pedestals and devices for displaying and hanging the sculptures, and lent assistance in the arrangement of items in particular cases.
The sculptures and artist books in “Re-Examining Books” challenge us to re-think the place of books in our lives and in our culture. They do this in ways that are often provocative and sometimes unnerving. Interestingly, not only do the items in the exhibition challenge us to engage in a process of reflection, aspects of the exhibition (multiple venues, atypical arrangements, and intensive collaborations) do this too.
Please join us for this exhibition’s opening reception in the Art Library, Thursday, September 6th from 5-7 pm.